Steam iron holder



March 16, 1965 J. C. BROWN ETAL STEAM IRON HOLDER Filed NOV. 21, 1963 WMWW ATTORNEY S United States Patent Oiiice 3,173,640 Patented Mar. 16, 1965 3,173,640 STEAM IRON HOLDER John Clarke Brown, 372 Highland Ave., Upper Montclair, N.J., and Charles I. Brown, 727 Ridge Road, Smoke Rise, Kinnelon, Butler P.0., NJ.

Filed Nov. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 325,393 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-1172) This invention relates to a supporting device, and more particularly to a device for supporting a steam iron on a horizontal surface such as an ironing board cover in such a manner that the iron is held in an inclined position so that the iron will usually not generate steam, but if the iron is of the type that does generate steam when inclined, the steam generated thereby will not saturate or scorch the horizontal surface when the iron is supported on the supporting device.

Most conventional steam irons are so made that when they are in a horizontal position, steam will automatically be generated within the iron and ejected through ports in the bottom of the iron base. When the iron is inciined to the horizon, automatic means built into the iron cuts off or prevents steam from being generated. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel holder for steam irons so that when a steam iron with an automatic cut-off is supported on the holder, it is maintained in an inclined position so that the automatic cut-off will function to prevent the iron from generating steam, and if the iron is of a type without such automatic steam cut-ofi, the holder will support the iron in an elevated position above a supporting surface such as an ironing board cover so that steam generated by the iron will not saturate or scorch the surface.

It is another object of this invention to provide a steam iron holder that is extremely simple in design.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a steam iron holder that is so designed that it will remain relatively cool even when supporting a very hot iron thereon. The holder remains relatively cool when supporting a hot iron because there is a minimum of metalto-rnetal contact between the holder and the hot iron which it supports, and the holder has a large exposed surface area which permits the surrounding atmosphere to effectively cool it.

It is another object of this invention to provide an iron holder which is of sturdy construction, is durable in use, and is pleasing in appearance.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a steam iron holder which includes a novel heel plate secured to a base, and the heel plate is so designed that it will strengthen the base, stabilize the base while in use so as to prevent tilting thereof, will serve as a means for guiding the iron onto the base, will prevent the iron from sliding laterally off the base, and functions as an additional heat radiating means for keeping the iron holder relatively cool.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

As illustrated in the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals indicate identical parts throughout the various figures, the steam iron holder 10 comprises a base 12 and a heel plate 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 12 is of substantially triangular shape and is composed of a single elongated integral piece of material such as heavy metal wire. The piece of material is bent so as to form convex or outwardly curved sides 16 and 18 integrally conneoted to a heel 20 by relatively sharply curved corners 2 and 24. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sides 16 and 18 and the heel 20 lie in the same flat plane. The forward ends of the sides 16 and 18 converge together to form a substantially pointed nose 26, and the sides are secured together at the nose by a weld 28.

The free ends of the wire forming the base are bent outwardly and downwardly in diverging relationship so as to form supporting legs 30 and 32 which extend substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sides 16 and 18 and the heel 20. The legs 30 and 32 are integrally connected to the sides 16 and 18 by relatively sharp arcuate corners 34 and 36.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the legs 30 and 32 lie in a flat plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sides 16 and 18 and the heel 20. Each of the legs includes an upper portion 38 or 40 which diverge downwardly from one another and are inclined relative to the plane of the base defined by the sides 16 and 18 and heel 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the legs 36) and 32 are curved inwardly towards each other so that the legs terminate in feet 42 and 44 which are substantially parallel to one another. Cup-shaped plastic caps 43 and 45 telescopically and snugly receive the lower ends of the feet 42 and 44. The bottom ends of the caps 43 and 45 are rounded so as not to catch or snag the supporting surface 60 which may comprise an ironing board cover composed of fabric.

The heel plate 14 is preferably formed from an elongated strip of sheet metal bent into a substantially U- shape. However, the heel plate could be made of wire or other material. The heel plate includes a central or bight portion 46 which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base 12. As shown in FIGZ 2, the heel 2G is bowed or curved inwardly between the sides 16 and 17, and the bight portion 46 of the heel plate contacts the curved corners 22 and 24 and is welded thereto by welds 48. An insulating air space 51 is provided between the heel 20 and bight portion 46, and the welds 48 provide the only contact between the heel and bight portion so that only a very small amount of heat may be transmitted from the frame 12 to the heel plate 14. The bight portion 46 is integrally connected to forwardly diverging guide and stabilizing flanges 49 and 50 by arcuate corners 52 and 54. The flanges 49 and 50 each lie in substantially vertical planes which are equally spaced from the sides 16 and 18 and which diverge therefrom in a forward direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the holder 10 is adapted to support a steam iron 56 thereon, which includes a fiat base 58 of substantially the same shape as the holder base 12 but larger in size. The plastic caps 43 and 45 and the heel 20 are adapted to contact a flat horizontal supporting surface 60 such as the surface of an ironing board so as to support the base 12 in an inclined position whereby the nose 26 is elevated a substantial distance above the heel 20. Thus, when the iron 56 is supported on the holder 10, the front of the iron is elevated above the heel thereof and the bottom surface of the iron spaced above the surface 60. Conventional steam irons are usually provided with automatic means which cut off the steam generating means therein when the front or nose of the iron is inclined above the heel thereof. Thus, when a conventional steam iron of this type is supported on the base 12, it is inclined so that it will not generate or produce steam. If the iron is of the type that produces steam when inclined, the steam produced by the iron when it is supported on the holder 10, will not saturate or scorch the surface 60 because of the spacing between the base of the iron and the supporting surface 61).

When the iron 56 ha en on the holder 10,. its

base 58 which is normally 'at a relatively high temperature, contacts the base 12 of the holder only at the extreme top surfaceof s-ides.16 and 18. It is noted that in electric irons, the'hot base 58 does not extend the v entire length of the iron, and the base 58 of the iron has only line contact with the base 12 of the'holder. The

end of" the iron 561which" is relatively cooler than the amount of heat can be conducted from the iron to the holder 10, and this heatis dissipated into the surrounding air. Since the only metal-to-metal contact between the base 12 and the heel plate 14 is at the welds 48, the small amount of heat conducted through these points to the heel'plate, plus the small amount of heat from the relatively cool iron end which is directly transmitted to the heel plate, is dissipated into the surrounding air. The large surface area of the'plate 15 permits it to be rapidly and efliciently cooled by the surrounding air. Thus, the holder 10 always, remains at a relatively cooltemperature so that'the surface 60 cannot be' damaged and there is little danger ofburning the operator of the iron.

Since the flanges 49 and 50 diverge forwardly from one another, the iron may be placed on the central portion of forward portion of the base 12 and then moved rearwardly so that the sides of the iron base58 engage the inner vertical surfaces of the flanges 49 and 50 so that the flanges guide and center the iron on the base.

Although Welding has been disclosed as'the preferred means for securing-various parts of the holder together, it is to be understood that other securing means, such as rivets, may be alternatively used.

The cross sectional" shape of the wire. comprising base 12 is preferably round or circular, but maybe of other.

shapes such as square, triangular, or flat.

Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the form, location, and relative arrangement of the several parts without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it Will be understood that the invention is not to be limited except by the'scope of the apof one integral elongate piece, of metal, said baselhaving two sides converging to a nose adjacent the ends of the elongate piece, a. heel connecting the said sides and forming the third side of the triangular shaped base, a

' U-shaped metal heel plate having diverging side flanges connected by a bight portion, means connecting said bight portion to said heel, said flanges being equally spaced in a lateraldirection from said'two sides and diverging as they extend away from said heel towards said nose, said side flanges and bight' portionv including portions extending above said base, and support means secured to said base positioning said nose above said heel and comprising said ends of the elongate piece adjacent said'nose extending downwardly in diverging relationship relative to said two sides to support said nose above said heel.

2. A holderas defined inclaim 1, wherein saidmeans connecting said bightportion to said heel comprises welds and wherein the two sides of the piece are secured together adjacent the nosebyweld's.

3. A holder for supporting a steam iron in an inclined position above a substantially horizontal surface comprising a U-shaped metal striphaving a central portion and twodiverg-ing flange portions" which form ,di-

hedral angles with said central'portionon a first side 7 thereof consisting: of spaced apart elements which lie in the sameplane and which are connected to said metal strip on the first side of said metal strip, said major portion' being perpendicular to said central portion of said metal strip and lying in part between said flanges, said elongate, metal piece remote from its connection to the metal strip extends downwardly at -about degrees to define leg means which together with they lower edge of the central portion of themetal strip-normally engage the surface on which the holder is placed.

References Cited by the. Examiner UNITED s ATEs PATENTS 2,315,474' 3/43 Wolcott 24s-117.2

' FOREIGN PATENTS 22,6132 12/17 Denmark.-

322,148 7/20 Germany.

839,189 5/52 Germany.

16 6,468 1/34 Switzerland.

LE ROY, Primary" Examiner. 

1. A HOLDER FOR SUPPORTING A STEAM IRON IN AN INCLINED POSITION ABOVE A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL SURFACE COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY TRIANGULAR SHAPED BASE COMPOSED OF ONE INTEGRAL ELONGATE PIECE OF METAL, SAID BASE HAVING TWO SIDES CONVERGING TO A NOSE ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE ELONGATE PIECE, A HEEL CONNECTING THE SAID SIDES AND FORMING THE THIRD SIDE OF THE TRIANGULAR SHAPED BASE, A U-SHAPED METAL HEEL PLATE HAVING DIVERGING SIDE FLANGES CONNECTED BY A BIGHT PORTION, MEANS CONNECTING SAID BIGHT PORTION TO SAID HEEL, SAID FLANGES BEING EQUALLY SPACED IN A LATERAL DIRECTION FROM SAID TWO SIDES AND DIVERGING AS THEY EXTEND AWAY FROM SAID HEEL TOWARDS SAID NOSE, SAID SIDE FLANGES AND BIGHT PORTION INCLUDING PORTIONS EXTENDING ABOVE SAID BASE, AND SUPPORT MEANS SECURED TO SAID BASE POSITIONING SAID NOSE ABOVE SAID HEEL AND COMPRISING SAID ENDS OF THE ELONGATE PIECE ADJACENT SAID NOSE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY IN DIVERGING RELATIONSHIP RELATIVE TO SAID TWO SIDES TO SUPPORT SAID NOSE ABOVE SAID HEEL. 